Everest Base camp trek (Bucket list trek) is one of the best and popular trekking destinations in a Nepal. The panoramic mountain views including the world’s highest peak the Mt. Everest (8848m), flora and fauna, Sherpa heritage (village), Buddhist cultural makes this trip beautiful and unforgettable experience.
The trek goes through the riverside of Dudh Koshi, rocky trail, crossing suspension bridges, hiking in with beautiful nature.
Trek to Everest Base Camp and climbing Island peak (6189m.) is a well-combined trip to have both experiences of hiking and climbing. To climb Island peak, EBC trek helps to have the benefit of high acclimatization and good physical stamina for climbing Island peak.
Day 1 – Arrival Kathmandu
Day 2 – Preparation day in Kathmandu
Day 3 – Kathmandu – Lukla ( 2840m.) trek to Phakding ( 2610m)
Day 4 – Phakding – Namche ( 3440m)
Day 5 – Namche ( Acclimatization day)
Day 6 – Namche – Dibuche ( 3820m.)
Day 7 – Dibuche – Dingbuche ( 4410m)
Day 8 – Dingboche ( Acclimatization day)
Day 9 – Dingboche – Lobuche (4910m)
Day 10 – Lobuche – Gorakshep (5140m.)
Day 11 – Gorakshep – Lobuche ( via Kalapathar / EBC)
Day 12 – Lobuche – Dingbuche ( 4410m)
Day 13 – Dingboche – Chhukung ( 4730m.)
Day 14 – Chhukung-( preparation /short climbing training )
Day 15 – Chhukung – Island peak B.C. ( 4970m.)
Day 16 – Summit ( 6189m.) back to B.C.
Day 17 – Island peak B.C. – Dingboche
Day 18 – Dingboche – Namche
Day 19 – Namche – Lukla
Day 20 – Lukla – Kathmandu
Day 21 – Kathmandu
Day 22 – Flight back to home
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1. Arrival in Kathmandu. Pick up from the international airport and transfer to hotel.
Day 2. Flight to Lukla (2850m) and trek to Phakding (2610m)
We go to Kathmandu Domestic airport to take a nice short flight to Lukla, Tenzing Hillary airport the start point for the trek to EBC. We will see many beautiful mountain ranges such as Langtang and Jugal ranges, then the Rolwaling Himal and Mt. Gaurisankar, before getting to see the first view of Mt. Everest on the flight. We make a short stop in Lukla to sort out bags etc before setting off. It’s a nice short walk for the day, 3hrs walk through low rhododendron forest, small villages and farms. We will pass through many big and small Mani Stone, Chhortens and Prayer Wheels which are built to offer good luck for all the living beings we will set to Phakding for lunch and we have all afternoon to take a food rest or look around the Phakding town which lies along the banks of Dudh Koshi.
Day 3. Trek to Namche (3440m) 6hrs walk.
After early breakfast at the lodge, we trek to Namche following with the bank of Dudh Koshi river. We will get a good view of Thamserku Peak 6623m. On the way and we go pass small villages and farm. Walking along a path with many ups and downs, crossing a stream we with reach to a village called Monjo at 2840m gaining 230m more from Phakding. We stop for lunch here. After lunch, we go the rough the National Park entrance gate where we pay our N.P. entrance fees. We carry on walking on the bank of Dudh Koshi river for 45 minutes to an hour and then we start ascending uphill towards Namche, start with crossing big and tallest suspension bridge on Khumbu valley. While ascending uphill we reach to rest joint called Top Dada where you will get the first view of Mt. Everest. From here you ascend gradually up to Namche Bazar. Then we get to Namche and we will gain the altitude proximately 800m.
Day 4. Namche Excursion
It is an acclimatization day, so we’ll take a gentle walk to gain a little height and have a free afternoon. Your guide/ leader will take you to a couple of wonderful viewpoints to see the spectacular view of Lhotse, Nuptse, Everest, Amadablam etc. You should also be able to the monastery at Tengboche and the trails to Everest you can also visit couple villages of Khumjung and Khunde with their health post, school started by Sir Edmund Hilary.
After lunch, you are free to go around Namche Bazar where you can see lots of different shops and it is a good place to get a souvenir. You will see the trader with a big group of Yak. You can also visit Namche Monastery. The monastery is about 80years old and has beautiful Thanka painting of Tibetan deities. You can also visit the Sherpa museum lies just above the Namche town. There can see the photo gallery of many famous mountaineers and record holders’ photos and the Sherpa museum shows all the things and utensils use in Sherpa houses in the old days. Namche is the biggest town or market place in Khumbu region where people from different places come to trade their goods.
Day 5. Namche – Dibuche (3520m)6hrs.
You Should now be acclimatized. We move closer to the Everest through its spectacular national park the trail flatters after we get out of Namche Bazar. We walk pass small villages with tea shops and walk before lunch should be nice and smooth with good views around. We descend towards Dudh Koshi river again and reach lunch place called Phengi Tanga. We stop for lunch and take good short rest before ascending toward Tengboche. After lunch, we continue our walk by ascending uphill all the way to Tengboche monastery through beautiful pine forest and rhododendrons. We might see the Himalayan Thar and the beautiful National bird Danfe, must deer and red panda if we are lucky. After about 3hrs walk we will reach to Tengboche (3870m.), we can visit the monastery which is the largest in the whole Khumbu region and ask for good luck blessing from senior of the monastery. After visiting the monastery, we will continue downhill walk to Dibuche about 20min.
Day 6. Dibuch to Dingboche (4410m) 5hrs.
We start our trekking by walking through the rhododendron forest to the Imja Khola, where we walk across the existing bridge at Imja Khola and along the Mani stone wall to reach the village of Pangboche. Above Pangboche village is the tree line so, our route then continues through summer pastures. We will continue our walk for 30-40 minutes and we reach the lunch place called Shomare where we stop for lunch. After lunch, we ascend gradually uphill towards Dingboche. Kind weather would allow as enchanting views of Amadablam, one of the beautiful mountain and other mountains to our right most of the day. After walking for about two and a half hours, we will reach our camp Dingboche by gaining an altitude of approximately 590m.
Day 7. Dingboche Excursion.
We take another acclimatization break at Dingboche to cope with the altitude we have gained so far. As with any acclimatization drills, climbing to a higher point and getting down to spend the right is recommended. Nagarjung Ri at 16400ft is an excellent option for the acclimatization hike. Hiking uphill to Nagarjung Ri gives us breathtaking views of Amadablam, along with Makalu, Tawche, Chotse and Island peak.
Day 8. Dingboche to Lobuche (4930m).
We really do notice the difference in the landscape as we get above the tree line walking slowly as always we actually first descend past Dusa to stream at 4580m, and from there we ascend slowly, slowly up to the teahouse at Dugla/ Thukla and stop for lunch as snacks if necessary. After the break, we carry on ascending towards the ridge which contains the memorial site for all the Sherpa’s and climbers from different countries who gave their lives on Everest and other mountains. Once past this ridge we really start to see changes in the landscape because we will now be walking alongside the moraine of the Khumbu Glacier with good views of Kala pather and Pumori to entertain us as we hike all the way to Lobuche for the night.
Day 9. Lobuche to Gorakshep (5180m) 3hrs.
We start our day slowly again following the Khumbu Glacier northwards to Gorakshep. The pathway is mostly rocky and Glacier so, we want take our time and move slowly, with beautiful scenery around us. After gradually ascending for 3hrs we reach to Gorakshep with going altitude by 250m and Gorakshep will be our last camp. We stop for lunch and after lunch, the excitement becomes too much and we set off to our final destination Everest base camp. Again we walk along the Glacier moraine for 2hrs and we actually start walking on the Glacier itself for about hrs. to EBC. From base camp, we get fantastic views of the Khumbu Ice-fall which is one of the most difficult traverses for those attempting to summit Everest. We take good time at base camp to look around and take pictures, and then we turn back to Gorakshep for the night.
Day 10. Gorkshep to Lobuche (via Kala Patthar).
We have to make an early start to climb up to Kala Patthar to get the fantastic view of the sunrise over Everest and other mountains. It will take 4-5 hrs to get to the top buy worth going at the top of Kala Patthar. We will see the panoramic view of the different mountains and Khumbu Glacier all the way down to Lobuche side. Then we will slowly return back to Gorakshep for breakfast and we will move down to Lobuche for the night.
(Please note that the walk to EBC and the climb to Kala Patthar are both very tough. Sometimes we may change the plan in which we tackle the walks depending on the group’s ability and the weather conditions)
Island Peak
Day 11. Lobuche to Dingboche (4hrs approximately)
After breakfast we now slowly descend down through the memorial ridge to down the valley and we take a break for tea/snacks at Thukla valley and after Thukla our trail ways flattens up to Dingbuche for the night because of we are descending to lower altitude it should be nice and easy day with good energy and clear views of beautiful Mt. such as Amadoblam, Tawache, Cholatse Thamserku, Tabuche etc and down the Pheriche valley.
Day 12. Dingboche to Chhukung (4730m) 3-4hrs.
We being today trek to Chhukung by walking through stone walled fields, Imja Khoday valley before walking in Glacier moraines. On our walk, we will be surrounded by Lhotse and Amadablam mountains. Later beyond Bibre village, we see Island peak. The trail ahead is intersected by icy streams. We reach Chhukung a small settlement is about an hour from BIbre. We will gain altitude by approximately 300m. from Dingboche.
Day 13. Chhukung (preparation/ short climbing training)
Today is another day to set aside for acclimatization climbing Chhukung Ri should help our body adjust to the high altitude (5550m.). After that, we walk back to camp and have lunch. After lunch, we prepare our climbing gears and we do some safely related climbing training with a climbing guide.
Day 14. Chhunkung to Island peak base camp(5200m) 3-4 hrs.
The trek to Island peak base camp is on a fairly steep trail. We walk on a winding path below the southern side of the Lhotse Glacier. Next, we continue walking smooth trail along a streamside. A zigzag route through the Imja and Chotse glacier moraines leads to the southwest side of Island peak and we camp overnight at the Base Camp.
Day 15. Summit to Island peak and back base camp (6189m.)
On the summit day, you have to start early on the morning wake up around 12:30-1am and something to eat before you climb before we start climbing we have to check all our gears and equipment making sure it is all safe and set for climbing up. The path leads up beyond base camp for several 100m before starting to climb steep up hillside. As you climb the hill the slop narrows and the path enter steep rock channel from here the route then follows a ridgeline which leads to a traverse onto the snout of the summit glacier. A 60m high wall is the only difficulty on the expedition and a final ridge leads to the summit of Island peak. From the summit, there are fantastic views across to Lhotse the Amphu Lapcha, Mera peak, and Amadablam. After a successful summit and good photos, we then head back to Base camp.
Everest Base camp trek (Bucket list trek) is one of the best and popular trekking destinations in a Nepal. The panoramic mountain views including the world’s highest peak the Mt. Everest (8848m), flora and fauna, Sherpa heritage (village), Buddhist cultural makes this trip beautiful and unforgettable experience.
The trek goes through the riverside of Dudh Koshi, rocky trail, crossing suspension bridges, hiking in with beautiful nature.
Trek to Everest Base Camp and climbing Island peak (6189m.) is a well-combined trip to have both experiences of hiking and climbing. To climb Island peak, EBC trek helps to have the benefit of high acclimatization and good physical stamina for climbing Island peak.
Day 1 – Arrival Kathmandu
Day 2 – Preparation day in Kathmandu
Day 3 – Kathmandu – Lukla ( 2840m.) trek to Phakding ( 2610m)
Day 4 – Phakding – Namche ( 3440m)
Day 5 – Namche ( Acclimatization day)
Day 6 – Namche – Dibuche ( 3820m.)
Day 7 – Dibuche – Dingbuche ( 4410m)
Day 8 – Dingboche ( Acclimatization day)
Day 9 – Dingboche – Lobuche (4910m)
Day 10 – Lobuche – Gorakshep (5140m.)
Day 11 – Gorakshep – Lobuche ( via Kalapathar / EBC)
Day 12 – Lobuche – Dingbuche ( 4410m)
Day 13 – Dingboche – Chhukung ( 4730m.)
Day 14 – Chhukung-( preparation /short climbing training )
Day 15 – Chhukung – Island peak B.C. ( 4970m.)
Day 16 – Summit ( 6189m.) back to B.C.
Day 17 – Island peak B.C. – Dingboche
Day 18 – Dingboche – Namche
Day 19 – Namche – Lukla
Day 20 – Lukla – Kathmandu
Day 21 – Kathmandu
Day 22 – Flight back to home
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1. Arrival in Kathmandu. Pick up from the international airport and transfer to hotel.
Day 2. Flight to Lukla (2850m) and trek to Phakding (2610m)
We go to Kathmandu Domestic airport to take a nice short flight to Lukla, Tenzing Hillary airport the start point for the trek to EBC. We will see many beautiful mountain ranges such as Langtang and Jugal ranges, then the Rolwaling Himal and Mt. Gaurisankar, before getting to see the first view of Mt. Everest on the flight. We make a short stop in Lukla to sort out bags etc before setting off. It’s a nice short walk for the day, 3hrs walk through low rhododendron forest, small villages and farms. We will pass through many big and small Mani Stone, Chhortens and Prayer Wheels which are built to offer good luck for all the living beings we will set to Phakding for lunch and we have all afternoon to take a food rest or look around the Phakding town which lies along the banks of Dudh Koshi.
Day 3. Trek to Namche (3440m) 6hrs walk.
After early breakfast at the lodge, we trek to Namche following with the bank of Dudh Koshi river. We will get a good view of Thamserku Peak 6623m. On the way and we go pass small villages and farm. Walking along a path with many ups and downs, crossing a stream we with reach to a village called Monjo at 2840m gaining 230m more from Phakding. We stop for lunch here. After lunch, we go the rough the National Park entrance gate where we pay our N.P. entrance fees. We carry on walking on the bank of Dudh Koshi river for 45 minutes to an hour and then we start ascending uphill towards Namche, start with crossing big and tallest suspension bridge on Khumbu valley. While ascending uphill we reach to rest joint called Top Dada where you will get the first view of Mt. Everest. From here you ascend gradually up to Namche Bazar. Then we get to Namche and we will gain the altitude proximately 800m.
Day 4. Namche Excursion
It is an acclimatization day, so we’ll take a gentle walk to gain a little height and have a free afternoon. Your guide/ leader will take you to a couple of wonderful viewpoints to see the spectacular view of Lhotse, Nuptse, Everest, Amadablam etc. You should also be able to the monastery at Tengboche and the trails to Everest you can also visit couple villages of Khumjung and Khunde with their health post, school started by Sir Edmund Hilary.
After lunch, you are free to go around Namche Bazar where you can see lots of different shops and it is a good place to get a souvenir. You will see the trader with a big group of Yak. You can also visit Namche Monastery. The monastery is about 80years old and has beautiful Thanka painting of Tibetan deities. You can also visit the Sherpa museum lies just above the Namche town. There can see the photo gallery of many famous mountaineers and record holders’ photos and the Sherpa museum shows all the things and utensils use in Sherpa houses in the old days. Namche is the biggest town or market place in Khumbu region where people from different places come to trade their goods.
Day 5. Namche – Dibuche (3520m)6hrs.
You Should now be acclimatized. We move closer to the Everest through its spectacular national park the trail flatters after we get out of Namche Bazar. We walk pass small villages with tea shops and walk before lunch should be nice and smooth with good views around. We descend towards Dudh Koshi river again and reach lunch place called Phengi Tanga. We stop for lunch and take good short rest before ascending toward Tengboche. After lunch, we continue our walk by ascending uphill all the way to Tengboche monastery through beautiful pine forest and rhododendrons. We might see the Himalayan Thar and the beautiful National bird Danfe, must deer and red panda if we are lucky. After about 3hrs walk we will reach to Tengboche (3870m.), we can visit the monastery which is the largest in the whole Khumbu region and ask for good luck blessing from senior of the monastery. After visiting the monastery, we will continue downhill walk to Dibuche about 20min.
Day 6. Dibuch to Dingboche (4410m) 5hrs.
We start our trekking by walking through the rhododendron forest to the Imja Khola, where we walk across the existing bridge at Imja Khola and along the Mani stone wall to reach the village of Pangboche. Above Pangboche village is the tree line so, our route then continues through summer pastures. We will continue our walk for 30-40 minutes and we reach the lunch place called Shomare where we stop for lunch. After lunch, we ascend gradually uphill towards Dingboche. Kind weather would allow as enchanting views of Amadablam, one of the beautiful mountain and other mountains to our right most of the day. After walking for about two and a half hours, we will reach our camp Dingboche by gaining an altitude of approximately 590m.
Day 7. Dingboche Excursion.
We take another acclimatization break at Dingboche to cope with the altitude we have gained so far. As with any acclimatization drills, climbing to a higher point and getting down to spend the right is recommended. Nagarjung Ri at 16400ft is an excellent option for the acclimatization hike. Hiking uphill to Nagarjung Ri gives us breathtaking views of Amadablam, along with Makalu, Tawche, Chotse and Island peak.
Day 8. Dingboche to Lobuche (4930m).
We really do notice the difference in the landscape as we get above the tree line walking slowly as always we actually first descend past Dusa to stream at 4580m, and from there we ascend slowly, slowly up to the teahouse at Dugla/ Thukla and stop for lunch as snacks if necessary. After the break, we carry on ascending towards the ridge which contains the memorial site for all the Sherpa’s and climbers from different countries who gave their lives on Everest and other mountains. Once past this ridge we really start to see changes in the landscape because we will now be walking alongside the moraine of the Khumbu Glacier with good views of Kala pather and Pumori to entertain us as we hike all the way to Lobuche for the night.
Day 9. Lobuche to Gorakshep (5180m) 3hrs.
We start our day slowly again following the Khumbu Glacier northwards to Gorakshep. The pathway is mostly rocky and Glacier so, we want take our time and move slowly, with beautiful scenery around us. After gradually ascending for 3hrs we reach to Gorakshep with going altitude by 250m and Gorakshep will be our last camp. We stop for lunch and after lunch, the excitement becomes too much and we set off to our final destination Everest base camp. Again we walk along the Glacier moraine for 2hrs and we actually start walking on the Glacier itself for about hrs. to EBC. From base camp, we get fantastic views of the Khumbu Ice-fall which is one of the most difficult traverses for those attempting to summit Everest. We take good time at base camp to look around and take pictures, and then we turn back to Gorakshep for the night.
Day 10. Gorkshep to Lobuche (via Kala Patthar).
We have to make an early start to climb up to Kala Patthar to get the fantastic view of the sunrise over Everest and other mountains. It will take 4-5 hrs to get to the top buy worth going at the top of Kala Patthar. We will see the panoramic view of the different mountains and Khumbu Glacier all the way down to Lobuche side. Then we will slowly return back to Gorakshep for breakfast and we will move down to Lobuche for the night.
(Please note that the walk to EBC and the climb to Kala Patthar are both very tough. Sometimes we may change the plan in which we tackle the walks depending on the group’s ability and the weather conditions)
Island Peak
Day 11. Lobuche to Dingboche (4hrs approximately)
After breakfast we now slowly descend down through the memorial ridge to down the valley and we take a break for tea/snacks at Thukla valley and after Thukla our trail ways flattens up to Dingbuche for the night because of we are descending to lower altitude it should be nice and easy day with good energy and clear views of beautiful Mt. such as Amadoblam, Tawache, Cholatse Thamserku, Tabuche etc and down the Pheriche valley.
Day 12. Dingboche to Chhukung (4730m) 3-4hrs.
We being today trek to Chhukung by walking through stone walled fields, Imja Khoday valley before walking in Glacier moraines. On our walk, we will be surrounded by Lhotse and Amadablam mountains. Later beyond Bibre village, we see Island peak. The trail ahead is intersected by icy streams. We reach Chhukung a small settlement is about an hour from BIbre. We will gain altitude by approximately 300m. from Dingboche.
Day 13. Chhukung (preparation/ short climbing training)
Today is another day to set aside for acclimatization climbing Chhukung Ri should help our body adjust to the high altitude (5550m.). After that, we walk back to camp and have lunch. After lunch, we prepare our climbing gears and we do some safely related climbing training with a climbing guide.
Day 14. Chhunkung to Island peak base camp(5200m) 3-4 hrs.
The trek to Island peak base camp is on a fairly steep trail. We walk on a winding path below the southern side of the Lhotse Glacier. Next, we continue walking smooth trail along a streamside. A zigzag route through the Imja and Chotse glacier moraines leads to the southwest side of Island peak and we camp overnight at the Base Camp.
Day 15. Summit to Island peak and back base camp (6189m.)
On the summit day, you have to start early on the morning wake up around 12:30-1am and something to eat before you climb before we start climbing we have to check all our gears and equipment making sure it is all safe and set for climbing up. The path leads up beyond base camp for several 100m before starting to climb steep up hillside. As you climb the hill the slop narrows and the path enter steep rock channel from here the route then follows a ridgeline which leads to a traverse onto the snout of the summit glacier. A 60m high wall is the only difficulty on the expedition and a final ridge leads to the summit of Island peak. From the summit, there are fantastic views across to Lhotse the Amphu Lapcha, Mera peak, and Amadablam. After a successful summit and good photos, we then head back to Base camp.
